The Most Dangerous Jobs

Whether you're a daredevil looking to combine business with pleasure or merely trying to avoid getting killed on the clock, you will find this article, with its statistics and details about the top 10 most dangerous jobs, useful in your job search.

Occupational Fatalities Declined, But Remain a Problem In 2013

Occupational fatalities have declined slightly in the US over the last six years, from 5.3 deaths per 100,000 workers in 2007 to 3.8 deaths per 100,000 workers in 2013. Occupational fatality rates reached a 23 year low in 2013.

Occupational Fatalities Logged By The US Census For 2014

The largest numbers of fatalities at work in America for 2014 happened in the following jobs. The rate of fatalities among these jobs and related industry sectors were higher in 2014 than in 2013.

Logging workers

Fishermen and related jobs

Aircraft pilots and flight engineers: As jobs in aircraft and aerospace increase through 2020, fatalities are likely to temporarily increase as well.

Roofers

Refuse (trash/garbage) and recyclables collectors.

Farmers, ranchers, and other agriculture jobs.

Iron and steel workers.

Truck drivers and other commercial drivers.

Electrical power line workers.

First-line supervisors of construction trades and extraction workers

Highest Fatality Rates For 2014

The rates of fatalities for four occupational fields in 2014 are much higher than for other occupations. These are:

1) Agriculture, fishing, forestry, and hunting:

24.9 per 100,000 workers

2) Mining, quarrying, oil & gas extraction: 14.1 per 100,000

3) Transportation & warehousing: 13.5 per 100.000

4) Construction: 9.5 per 100,000

Commercial Fishing - Deadliest Job in America Until 2015

This U.S. Coast Guard photo illustrates how fishing crew fatigue caused the Defiant fishing vessel to run aground. | Source

Danger On the High Seas

Despite technological advancements and safety training, equipment, and procedures, commercial fishing remains the deadliest job in America. This is based on figures of deaths per thousand employed and a major reason the television show Deadliest Catch has been such a successful series.

Gloucester, Massachusetts Fishermen's Memorial: currently, 10,000 names are engraved on the memorial plaque. The statue is said to be looking for good weather. | Source

#1 Commercial Fishing Tops the List for Workplace Fatalities

Commercial fishing has a deadly history. There were:

129 deaths and 61 injuries per 100,000 for 2008,

116 deaths per 100,000 in 2010;

121.2 per 100,000 full-time workers in 2011.

According to the US Bureau of Labor Statistics,

The fishing industry, which suffered extremely high occupational death rates in the 1990s, fell to number three on the Top 10 most dangerous jobs list in 2006, but rose to number one in 2007.

Commercial fishing remained in the top position for 2008 and 2010. It is dangerous and increasing in danger. The deadliest catch is becoming deadlier to the catchers.

The US Department of Labor found that Commercial Fishing had become safer during 2013, with the result that this category of jobs dropped to Number Two on the "dangerous list" in America. The rate of death in this employment sector remained high, however at 75 deaths per 100,000 workers, significantly fewer than previously.

— Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), December 2014

Worker holding a king crab. Men and women both work aboard crabbing vessels and other commercial fishing ships. | Source

#2 through #10 Most Dangerous Jobs

Number of Deaths per 100,000 People Employed:

#2Loggers and Logging-related job titles:

Death rate: 102.4 /100,00 in 2011. Still in second place, but with fewer deaths.

Loggers and Logging Workers rose to Number One in danger in BLS findings in December 2014. This classification experienced 91.3 deaths per 100,000 workers. This rate is lower than in 2011, but higher than in Commercial Fishing in 2013.

#3Aircraft Pilots and Flight Engineers:

Death rate: 57.0/100,000 in 2011. Up from #6 in 2008.

#4Refuse & Recyclable Materials Collectors:

Death rate: 41.2/100,000 in 2011. This was #7 in 2010, but became deadlier.

#5Roofers:

Death rate: 32/100,000 in 2011. Was #6 in 2010, but became deadlier.

#6Structural Iron and Steel Workers:

Death rate: 26.9/100,000 in 2011. There's been a drastic jump in deadliness in this field, since it wasn't even in the Top 10 in 2010.

#7 Agriculture; Farmers and Ranchers:

Death rate: 25.3/100,000 in 2011. Was #4 in 2010; becoming safer.

#8Driver/Sales Workers and Truck Drivers:

Death rate: 24/100,000 in 2011. Same rank as 2010, but higher in death rate.

#9 Electrical Power Line Installers and Repairers:

Death rate: 20.3/100,000 in 2011. This category wasn't in the top 10 for the last several years, but workers in these occupations have been complaining that the work is deadlier than people think. The statistics are beginning to match the workers' opinions.

#10 Taxi Drivers and Chauffeurs:

Death rate: 19.7/100,000 in 2011. Not in the Top 10 in 2010.

Logging; Lumberjack | Source

Why Isn't "Stuntman" Or "Stuntperson" on the List of the Most Dangerous Jobs?

An update on the Internet at the first of June 2012 reported that revisions to 2010 put stuntmen at #9 with 2.5 deaths per 1,000; but deaths are reported per 100,000 and the correct number is reported at BLS at 2.5 per 100,000, putting stuntmen way down the list of dangerous jobs.

Job Titles That Dropped Out of the Top 10 Deadliest in 2011

These jobs became safer, meaning they produced fewer deaths per 100,000 workers:

Death rate: 18.0 per 100,000 in 2010 and up from #12 in 2008. #10 in 2010.

Coal Mining Tribute Statue in Shawnee, Ohio

This worker is positioned to pick coal ore from the low ceiling of a coal mine tunnel. | Source

Background on Commercial Fishing Fatalities

The Alaskan fishing and shell-fishing industry experienced 400 deaths per 100,000 employees in the 1990s.

In 2002, US commercial fishing deaths dropped on average, but raised significantly in 2006, rose again in 2007, and increased yet again in 2008.

Fishing is a high-paying job for the months of active work, but it is dangerous and entails challenging working conditions.

A Cable TV show, Deadliest Catch on the Discovery Network, shows real crab fishers in the Bering Sea. They make a living working many hours a day, 7 days a week, often in the dark, without a break, for long stretches of time. They must make the catch within the window of opportunity or lose their income for the year.

New ship hands sometimes cannot take the pressure and the amount of hard work and long hours required. Reruns of Deadliest Catch may be available on broadcast network TV in your local area, and the website offers online video archive viewing.

Deadliest Catch–Mike Fourtner goes Postal

Sucked Into A Buzz Saw

One of my patients was sucked into such a saw and survived.

Other Dangerous Jobs That Changed Positions

The Timber Industry (including loggers, lumberjacks, and helpers) held the #1 spot for many years with 92.4 deaths per 100,000 workers in 2006, a decrease from 118 in 2002. In 2008, fatalities increased to 116 deaths per 100,000 workers and timber is #2 in the Top 10 Most Dangerous Jobs in the USA. One of my pain-management patients was a timber cutter that had been sucked into a buzz saw. He was cut diagonally through the upper body from shoulder to hip and survived, in great pain, living on disability income. Others are hurt and killed by falls, trees falling on them, vehicular accidents, and other ways.

The occupation of Farmer or Rancher became more deadly and dangerous in 2008, raising it to #3 with 40 deaths/100,000 workers.

Structural Iron and Steel Industry workers remain in the #4 slot, with a slight decrease to 46/100,000 deaths. (In 2007, it was 76 deaths per 100,000 employees.)

Sanitation Workers or Garbage Collectors and Recyclers rose to the #5 most-dangerous-job spot with 37 deaths/100,000 workers. These occupations were not even in the Top 10 for 2002. Since then, there has been increased in numbers employed in these fields and so the danger has become more visible and statistically relevant.

With the increasing number of businesses, dwellings, and vehicles in America, Drivers and Material Movers are at increased risk for traffic-related accidents and/or being in some way injured by their machinery.

Aircraft work-related fatalities increased significantly in 2006, bringing Aircraft Pilots to the #2 spot in the Top 10 Most Dangerous Jobs that year (82.2 deaths per 100,000). This number decreased to 72/100,000 in 2008 when Aircraft Pilots dropped to the #6 spot.

Even though the Top 10 Most Dangerous Jobs in America are all high-risk, they are generally higher-paying jobs as well.

Some Dangerous Jobs Became More Dangerous In 2008

Roofers were in the #7 spot on the list for 2008 with 34 deaths and 3 injuries/100,000 workers. A roofer I know was injured not only from tripping and falling, but also by the dreaded second and third degree burns from hot asphalt that are an occupational hazard. He was burned over 25% of his body and was unable to work again.

Coal Miners and other ore miners rose to #8 in 2008 with 22 deaths/100,000. A number of high profile mining catastrophes have occurred in recent years to drive up the number of deaths and injuries. Coal miners may rise again in 2009 BLS figures and again in 2010 compilations.

Merchant Mariners, another seagoing job, rose in danger to the #9 position in 2008 with 23 deaths and 5 injuries/100,000 workers. The sea now holds two of the Top 10 Most Dangerous Jobs (according to 2008 figures).

Millers, grain handlers/grinders and flour-makers were in the Top 10 of 2008 with the #10 position, at 12 deaths/100,000. In Ohio in 2008, at least two missing persons were later found suffocated in their farm's grain silos, having fallen in. The milling machinery is dangerous as well.

Top 11 to 20 Most Dangerous Jobs in 2008-2011

#11 Power Line Installer (30 deaths per 100,000 employed.) Rose to #9 in 2011.

#12 Police Officer (16/100,000.) Rose to #10 in 2010 and fell off the Top 10 List in 2011.

#13 Firefighter (7/100,000.)

#14 Oil and Gas Crew (24 deaths+1 injury/100,000.)

#15 Cement Makers (13 deaths+3 injuries/100,000.)

#16 Taxi Drivers and Chauffeurs fell in the Top 20 Most Dangerous Jobs in 2007 to #16 at 21 deaths+1 injury/100,000, then rose to #10 in 2011. In this category, nearly 50% of all work-related incidences involve truck drivers, material movers, van deliveries, forklifts, trash collectors, recyclers, cabbies, movers, or chauffeurs. The 22 deaths and 0.4 injuries/100,000 in 2008 is a reduction from 2007.

#17 Constructor Equipment Operators (16/100,000.)

#18 Slaughterhouse (2 deaths and 0.4 injuries per 100,000.) Read Fast Food Nation by Eric Schlosser for an eye-opening account of the repeated injury and exploitation of one such worker.

#20 "Miscellaneous Agriculture Jobs" was in #10 for 2007. Because of the nature of increasing migrant and undocumented labor, accurate figures were not available for 2008. It is difficult to know what this occupational designation actually includes; it may include migrant workers and undocumented workers as well new documented immigrants and general farm laborers and casual employees paid in cash for short-term work. Farming family members might be included in this total.

Top 10 Most Dangerous Jobs in America, 2002-2007

Case Studies In Dangerous Jobs

Mining

Mining certainly rose into the Top 10 Most Dangerous Jobs for 2008, as shown above. See this link for the story of the infamous Southern Ohio Millfield Coal Mining Disaster in Athens County that involved my great uncle and his work.

Wild animal handling in zoos, parks, and research around the world involves dangerous and unsafe conditions. For example, look at this job description for a wild animal handler/crocodile keeper at an Australian zoo:

Department: Crocodiles; Reports to: Head Keeper, Australia Zoo.

Position Description: As a crocodile keeper, you will undertake a structural training program to gain the knowledge and experience to work with and around crocodilians. This traineeship is competency-based and generally take three to four years to complete. All Keepers have a responsibility for the care and well being of animals under your attendance. They must be understanding and sensitive to the needs of the animals under their care. Keepers are responsible for the animal exhibits, involved with their maintenance and landscaping and presenting at daily demonstrations. Duties within this position:

Undertake cleaning and maintenance of animal enclosures.

Assist with the planning, development and construction of animal enclosures.

Attend meetings as requested by Supervisor.

Conduct animal health checks.

Prepare food and conduct feeding of animals in accordance with diet requirements feeding schedules and procedures.

Maintain records of observations and reports on animal behaviour and breeding.

Conduct environment and enclosure safety checks.

Undertake hands on care of animals.

Undertake animal enrichment programs.

Conducting water testing.

Maintaining water treatment equipment.

Conducting systematic equipment checks.

Dispensing pool chemicals.

Undertake public speaking and/or delivering demonstrations.

Work within the guidelines of health and safety procedures to ensure both animal and personal, and visitor security.

Military:

Another dangerous and deadly job is any position that may be included with military duty in conflict zones and war.

If you are concerned about danger on your job or at your workplace, see the US Federal Government guidelines for avoiding and alerting employers to Imminent Danger in the workplace and OSHA guidelines.

Voyage to the Bering Sea

What do you think?

Is a higher wage worth the risk of injury at the workplace?

No. My health is invaluable and a deadly job just isn't worth it.

Maybe. It depends on how much risk and how much money.

Yes, because the risk is not guaranteed and the wage is significant. I think most people can avoid the risk if they don't become complacent.

I'm a daredevil so I'll perform the most dangerous job no matter what it pays!

Comments, Experiences, and Thoughts

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sending

AUTHOR

Patty Inglish MS

24 months agofrom USA. Member of Asgardia, the first space nation, since October 2016

QS - We join you in hopes for his safety! It's a well-paying job that I hope he likes. Cheers~!

QD

24 months ago

My son (Alex O) just got a as a linesman. He was a tree trimmer so he is now somewhat safer but I pray for him almost everyday

Kristen Howe

3 years agofrom Northeast Ohio

Yikes Patty! I wouldn't want that job either. LOL

AUTHOR

Patty Inglish MS

3 years agofrom USA. Member of Asgardia, the first space nation, since October 2016

I remember some of Mike Lowe's episodes and Ice Road Truckers make me glad I don't do that job! I remember someone breaking down on the Ice Road and having to wait a long time for help.

Kristen Howe

3 years agofrom Northeast Ohio

Hi Patty. Did you watch Mike Lowe's Dangerous Jobs when it was on TV?. I know they're airing reruns now. Wow. How about ice truckers on the History channel? I agree with you, Patty.

AUTHOR

Patty Inglish MS

3 years agofrom USA. Member of Asgardia, the first space nation, since October 2016

Hi Kristen - I watched "Dangerous Catch" and "Highway through Hell" (Canadian towing of large trucks in British Columbia) over the weekend and saw the dangers again close-up. Those jobs are big challenges!

Kristen Howe

3 years agofrom Northeast Ohio

Patty, wow. This was an interesting fact-filled list of the dangerous jobs up until now. This made me think and became in awe of how it changed throughout the years. Voted up!

AUTHOR

Patty Inglish MS

5 years agofrom USA. Member of Asgardia, the first space nation, since October 2016

Thanks for that reminder, Charlie!

Charlie

5 years ago

Too bad we cannot get this much attention when it comes to VOTING !

AUTHOR

Patty Inglish MS

6 years agofrom USA. Member of Asgardia, the first space nation, since October 2016

Iron-working is a demanding job. Best wishes for your continued safety. I;m sorry you've seen others' deaths.

d.g.

6 years ago

i have been a structural ironworker/welder for 26 yrs & lost count of close calls & near misses .lost a few friens along the way.still have a hard time watching"big blue"as my fellow workers catapult from observation basket.sometimes even best laid plans run into unforeseen mechanical failure.ironworkers prayer to all who did their best to make a better world for their own families & generations to come.

Stevegking

6 years ago

Great hub! Lots of info, and very informative

AUTHOR

Patty Inglish MS

6 years agofrom USA. Member of Asgardia, the first space nation, since October 2016

The official government list does not include military positions that I can find! Thanks for the question.

Chris

6 years ago

So how about a Navy SEAL, that would have to be quite a dangerous job and I think it would be high up on the list.

AUTHOR

Patty Inglish MS

6 years agofrom USA. Member of Asgardia, the first space nation, since October 2016

Very scary for this men, and now women, that become fishermen. Some are swept overboard as well.

louromano

6 years ago

I've heard of fishing being one of the most dangerous occupations, not only with the waves and conditions but it's the steel cables snapping if the weight of the catch is too much. One TV show I saw said that if the cable snapped then there was a good chance someone could lose an arm or head! Scary stuff!

AUTHOR

Patty Inglish MS

6 years agofrom USA. Member of Asgardia, the first space nation, since October 2016

Thanks for posting from Mexico!

AUTHOR

Patty Inglish MS

6 years agofrom USA. Member of Asgardia, the first space nation, since October 2016

Not if they don't suffer a significant number of deaths per 100,000. The stats are only about deaths per 100,000.

Ewen Cameron

6 years ago

An interesting selection, I would have thought deep sea divers working on oil rigs would have also been on there.

AUTHOR

Patty Inglish MS

6 years agofrom USA. Member of Asgardia, the first space nation, since October 2016

Droll and interesting.

kxdorey

6 years agofrom Beverly Hills, California, USA

Terrorist still seems like a pretty dangerous one these days if you consider it a job. :)

AUTHOR

Patty Inglish MS

6 years agofrom USA. Member of Asgardia, the first space nation, since October 2016

Yes, that's tough, alright. And different than government statistics' definition. Thanks, and Happy Thanksgiving to you and your family, rob.

rob

6 years ago

"What makes a job a danger" in my opinion,,,is lack of training,, and taking chances we know we should"nt at the work place,, and home.. I have almost 30 yrs in as a power lineman..I have lost friends,,and been burnt myself.. follow rules and dont take chance"s,, remember there are folks waiting at home for you..

AUTHOR

Patty Inglish MS

7 years agofrom USA. Member of Asgardia, the first space nation, since October 2016

I knew a commercial roofer that fell and his bare arms covered in hot tar from write to elbow. By the time the EMTs got him to the ER and he was in an evaluation cubicle, the tar had cooled. Tar had to be removed and he refused pain relievers and anesthetic. It was horrible pain. The chronic pain lasted all his life until he died, he became permanently disabled after another roof fall, and pain medications did not work.

JasonHunt

7 years agofrom South Florida

I was kind of surprised to see roofers being #6 on the list. Nice hub!

Arthur

7 years ago

Damn, I want to do that Commerical Fishing. I need more adrenaline...

wyo barney

7 years agofrom Wyoming

35 years ago I worked my first "top 10" job, underground coal miner, for a little longer then a year. Most of that as a roof bolter,working in the "face" of the mine,the most dangerous place to work, a short time after that, I spent a year as a derickhand on a drilling rig. I then spent the next 10 years as an ironworker, I've hung iron on a good share of highrises.(I guess you could say i've been hundreds of feet below, to hundreds of feet above the ground). For the last 22 years i've spent as a thru freight conductor for a railroad. At one time that occupation was right up there on the top 10 list. 12,000+ tons moving at 70 mph. is pretty unforegiving. I,for one,firmly believe in government regulations! Purhaps,with a little luck also, I can watch my grandchildren grow.

Dr Rockpile

7 years agofrom USA

The top 10 jobs I will not be applying for. ;)

Mitesh

7 years ago

I will never have a dangerous job my mai send....

mysteriousmaven

7 years agofrom The Internet

Never would have thought that commercial fishing was at the top. :O

Though taxi driver surprised me a bit too. :)

gamercameo

7 years ago

High risk, high return. I feel lucky that I do not have to do that jobs.

slkimble91

7 years ago

ice road truckers is probably number 4 or so....

zanybug

7 years ago

never knew we are in top 10 of worlds most dangerous professions.

merchant mariner

AUTHOR

Patty Inglish MS

7 years agofrom USA. Member of Asgardia, the first space nation, since October 2016

You just don't die as often! That's why you are not on the list. It's a numbers gamer. But it is indeed dangerous work.

dockbuilder LU 1456 NY

7 years ago

what about commercial divers for my union we should definitly be up there oil rig diving,commercial marine construction diving i mean come on now

AUTHOR

Patty Inglish MS

7 years agofrom USA. Member of Asgardia, the first space nation, since October 2016

This question comes up every year and I believe that the answer is that the US Govt does not include the military in their "most dangerous/most killed per 100,000 employed" list (but I will check again). Now I need to look up the number of military people killed per 100,000 for each branch and do a Hub on that. Thanks for the question!

johnny

7 years ago

Just would like to say most of these deserve to be listed, but where are the US soldiers on this list ????

AUTHOR

Patty Inglish MS

7 years agofrom USA. Member of Asgardia, the first space nation, since October 2016

And it sounds like it's quite a job, too! Thanks, tloker.

tloker

7 years ago

I think you need to put Marriage up somewhere on this list. There are times I am sure it is killing me:)!

Ahsan

7 years ago

In my country Journalist Job is perhaps most dangerous.

stephen kalu

7 years agofrom Nigeria

wow, that's a deadly way of making a living. Nice hub

giselenmendez

7 years agofrom Berlin, Germany

Well... Now I am even more glad to be a freelancer who works from home.

AUTHOR

Patty Inglish MS

7 years agofrom USA. Member of Asgardia, the first space nation, since October 2016

Sounds very dangerous, but exciting.

cold

7 years ago

the scariest job i ever had is in siberia to hunt and tag wolfs... when you loose sigth of it you grab for you're gun if not you migth not make it back.

dusy7969

7 years agofrom San Diego, California

Great hub.Very interesting.I get a lot of information from this hub about the dangerous job.So thanks a lot patty for sharing this informative and useful information.

AUTHOR

Patty Inglish MS

7 years agofrom USA. Member of Asgardia, the first space nation, since October 2016

REPEAT for those who missed it above: The USA official "most dangerous jobs" are figured ONLY on "NUMBER OF DEATHS PER 100,000 PEOPLE" in each specific job group. The highest numbers make the list.

Thanks.

Jacob Jolleys

7 years ago

Considering that you have a 1 in 8 chance of dying on a tour of Afghanistan in a Bomb Disposal Squad, surely this is one of the most dangerous occupations!

AllSuretyBonds

7 years ago

Great Hub. Very interesting. I give all of these workers that do this type of work and risking their lives everyday. I have watched the show Ice Road Truckers and it amazes me how dangerous some of these jobs really are.

Mrs. J. B.

7 years agofrom Southern California

THANKS for the great advice. I am from Manchester By The Sea, MA.. My Mom grew up in Gloucester and all my relatives still there. Acacia Street, Cherry Street, Gardner Terrace etc.. Anyway, I loved this article. I remember every year during the winter months just how one or two fishing boats would go down. St. Peter's Fiesta although fun was still somber. I think by listing these jobs it will make think before saying YES even in these strained times

AUTHOR

Patty Inglish MS

7 years agofrom USA. Member of Asgardia, the first space nation, since October 2016

billy bob jr. - You must be one of those imaginary friends on Nickelodean (sp?). Very entertaining.

Radioguy - Many teachers would agree! In fact, I was SHOT AT once in my educational facility while teaching, but it turned out to be a starter pistol and no wound, thank God.

Radioguy

7 years agofrom Maine

Great Hub! I thought teaching school might top the list!

billy bob jr.

7 years ago

hi. i like cheese.

azeem

7 years ago

Azeem,

Actually the oil and gas industry is booming in Australia and field related to oil and gas industry are by far the most highly pais for example if you are a production or plant manager or if you are doing petroleum engineering you will be getting 2000AUD per week at the start and this will increase with your experience, if you work on an oil rig you get 100,000AUS per annum this is your starting salary and your work schedule is 14 days on and 23 days off, the reason why I am quoting this is because I am actually studying Marine and offshore Engineering at Australian Maritime College which is the best Maritime institution in the world and I also have been working for Shell as a Marine Engineer.

azeem_mariner@hotmail.com

gagner de l'argent

8 years ago

Maybe they have their responsibility for their death. Lack of training? lack of experience? in any case is tragic, I do not want anyone to die at work ..

AUTHOR

Patty Inglish MS

8 years agofrom USA. Member of Asgardia, the first space nation, since October 2016

Thanks, Aakarshan - I was saddened by that news when I heard it. He was well respected and admired.

Trinsick - That's a good idea.

Trinsick

8 years agofrom Cali

They should take one of these and make another "deadliest catch" type show. Lets send them a link of the hub here :).

Dmm

8 years ago

Suicide bomber i am convinced is the most dangerous work: if you do not deliver you die!if you deliver you still die

Aakarshan

8 years ago

I think commercial fishing is still the most dangerous profession in America. We lost a great one in Phil Harris of the Cornelia Marie on the Bering Sea this year. The sixth season of the Deadliest Catch on the Discovery Channel starts next Tuesday April 13th. He will be sadly missed and his life will be celebrated during the summer and winter crabbing season.

Ja'kayla

8 years ago

I will never have a dangerous job

bd160900

8 years agofrom San Diego

Dangerous defiantly is a word that comes to mind. But I liked it.

AUTHOR

Patty Inglish MS

8 years agofrom USA. Member of Asgardia, the first space nation, since October 2016

Thank you for your service, tdubs, as well as thanks to all who do the trades and protective services work of America.

tdubs

8 years ago

I am a union ironworker local 512. Worked with fellow iron workers who rigged cars with bodies. After 35w bridge went down in minneapolis. Along with other brave tradesmen. Reminds me of ironworkers and firefighters working on aftermath of 911. Despite who has the most deadliest job. All comes down to this country and the fellowship we share in time of need. Sighn me up! I risk my life everyday. And I do it with pride. For my family and America.

warrioRR

8 years agofrom Rawalpindi Pakistan

I like to get the 1st job

AUTHOR

Patty Inglish MS

8 years agofrom USA. Member of Asgardia, the first space nation, since October 2016

It sounds dangerous to me. Have you seen a related film with Cuba Gooding Jr about a Navy man that lost a leg doing similar undersea work and returned to the work anyway after long court battles? - "Men of Honor" (2000).

ss sneh

8 years agofrom the Incredible India!

Interesting Topic! I feel, under sea water constructions like laying of pipe lines, construction of bridges over see...anything under deep water construction also is a very dangerous job.

Enelle Lamb

8 years agofrom Canada's 'California'

That was quite a list Patty. I think my job has been lumped in with construction workers...I'll have to check ;)

Karen Ellis

8 years agofrom Central Oregon

Wow, pretty scary jobs. I think I'll stick with writing.

Dental Jobs

8 years ago

ha ha and I thought being a dentist was a dangerous job, super interesting article - Cheers

borge_009

8 years agofrom Philippines

I have never thought of fishing would be the dangerous work. I thought joining in a military would be the most dangerous. Thanks

Ben Zoltak

8 years agofrom Lake Mills, Jefferson County, Wisconsin USA

Very cool Patty, I had a dangerous job for awhile, nobody seemed to care. I was surprised to find that farming was so dangerous, but I believe it. There's a mixture of excitement with remorse with this kind of work, thank you for illuminating it.

TTT

8 years ago

so, what about miners and people who work in nuclear power plants? and police officers, and nascar racers? and if taxi driver is up there, what about pizza deliverie guys(or girls)? and soldiers, doesent that count as a job? or coast guards or plumbers or rangers?

AUTHOR

Patty Inglish MS

8 years agofrom USA. Member of Asgardia, the first space nation, since October 2016

Farther down on the list. The 106 deaths out of a nation of 300,000,000 people is a small percentage of workers killed per 100,000 in a single occupation. This is not to diminish the importants of those 106 people whom we respect and give thanks for protecting us.

Ben J SLFD

8 years ago

where are Firefighters there was 106 deaths last year

AUTHOR

Patty Inglish MS

8 years agofrom USA. Member of Asgardia, the first space nation, since October 2016

Deadliest Catch is now being shown on local broadcast channels (probabbly reruns) as well as Cable TV, so more people can see what's going on with it. it is such draining physical work, it is hard to maintain for a period of years.

askjanbrass - I don't now whay the increase. A new set of figures will be out this year, hopefully, and we'll take a look at progress.

askjanbrass

8 years agofrom St. Louis, MO

I found it surprising that the death rate increased so drastically from 2006 to 2007 for the fishing industry.

Quite a somber topic, but the post was very well crafted. Thanks for sharing.

rdelp

8 years ago

I love to watch Deadliest Catch and there is no way I would do that at all.

wsp2469

8 years agofrom Alta Loma, Ca

Oh!

Re: Military jobs

I was wondering about that too but i think the difference is that when you look at all the statistics including during times of peace that it is actually less dangerous. Just so readers like Sara don't get confused.

wsp2469

8 years agofrom Alta Loma, Ca

Then there was a poll along similar lines that might have had to do with you losing your life due to others which listed the top 3 as convenience store workers, firemen and policemen.

ironhead

9 years ago

im thankful for all the men and women that serve in our military but there really aint a whole lot of them dying is there , i don't get shot at a lot but i have seen more than enough badly hurt or killed

stars439

9 years agofrom Louisiana, The Magnolia and Pelican State.

informative. god bless

TheHonestMan

9 years agofrom Inland Empire, California

Great post! Very good information.

HARRIS

9 years agofrom Phoenix, Ariz

Another great hub !

Sorry if i missed it but i didn't see Army Jobs mentioned up there. I mean honestly speaking its the most dangerous job in the world. " Join the Army and politicians will decide where to work ". Seriously it cant get worse than that. Putting your lives in the hand of most corrupt society " The Politicians".

ciidoctor

9 years ago

thank you so much

AUTHOR

Patty Inglish MS

9 years agofrom USA. Member of Asgardia, the first space nation, since October 2016

Thanks for reading, stephany!

stepheny

9 years agofrom united kingdom

your hub is really interestin keep it up

AUTHOR

Patty Inglish MS

9 years agofrom USA. Member of Asgardia, the first space nation, since October 2016

Hi Daniel,

Fishing can be pretty deadly on a regular basis, going by the number of deaths. Hauling nuclear waste sounds very dangerous to me, as does ice road trucking. I am anxious to read the next statistical results of governments' dangerous jobs lists. Hope they come out soon.

Daniel

9 years ago

In 2002 I was in volved in car crash that resuled in me having a broken neck, as I was re-coopin @ home I had the Discovery channel, that was the first time I had seen a program about the deadliest jobs in the world. They started with Crab fisherman in the Artic, then went to Australia where " the cowboy " fisherman dived of boats to catch Blue Fin Tuna, trying to beat the sharks back to the boats. Me, not now, not when I was younger, not ever would catch me doing commercial fishing,mining, ironworkering ( high rise), me I stick with handling race horses, tempormental horses, nor would you ever going to La. floating around in a boat in the bayou gathering " gator eggs ". Thank-you for letting me post, I do have a buddy that has a contract with the government to haul nuclear waste, what a job.

AUTHOR

Patty Inglish MS

9 years agofrom USA. Member of Asgardia, the first space nation, since October 2016

The current 2007-8 US list of death-causing work injuries reports out of 5,500 injuries, only 109 were caused by high power lines & related (about 2% of total).

The Most Dangerous List is based on numbers of deaths and % of total nationwide work deaths.

Around Irvine, California; Aerial linemen make Avg: $47K and journeymen: $54K. Captains and crews of the fishing industry die more often and in greater numbers (commerical fishing & hunting = 10% of the total USA) -- These crab fisherman earn $50,000+ in only 2 months, then fish for different species.

Fear of the job is not enough to make the job officially called dangerous.

AUTHOR

Patty Inglish MS

9 years agofrom USA. Member of Asgardia, the first space nation, since October 2016

Hello bigg - I have studied much physics, and electicity is my favorite part, along with astrophysics.

When I was a restaurant manager, I was thrown aross the floor 6 feet when I touched a malfunctioning floor outlet to which we had plugged 4 large electric floor grills. That, I will not forget. I have had other interesting experiences with higher voltage apparatus.

For interest, I will look up injury and death statstics on your work. Perhaps I will do a review of your job and suimilar occupations for a career Hub; I could interview you by email and add your experiences.

bigg kuntry

9 years ago

patty i dont know why i am tring to let you in about our jobs. do you think about where you power comes from. do you care how mannt of my brothers have died for so freedom of lights. this is one of the only jobs where men still have a strong hold. i have only known of one linelady. but worked in a small town in north cal. have you google to see how many lineman serve power to just the us. i think you just glad to get some attention. i would say 70% of the people in the usa have fished. i would say that only less than1% have worked on voltages above 600 volts. so if i fish, and i work on powerlines above 600 volts. what does this make me a jod or something like that. i know a super hero. but then again we dont need the fame. until next time

AUTHOR

Patty Inglish MS

9 years agofrom USA. Member of Asgardia, the first space nation, since October 2016

Thank you, bigg. The TV networks pay the extra money for the film crews' high-risk insurance for Dangerous Catch, and higher wages, which is why they work. So, if you can get a TV network to do a show on you and your crews, then the world would get an eyeful of another dangerous job.

Best wishes!

Can you make electricity with a fish and two wires like you can with a potato, to light a single small bulb?

bigg kuntry

9 years ago

patty it is nice to know all about the wheather,cages,and etc. here is more insight. we work from buckets gaffs "hooks" from the pole. this gaff is about the size of a pencil. two summers ago i work twenty hours a day for 38 days straight. the transformers we changed out was so hot that we had to spray them with water to cool them down. so that the rigging want melt into before it could be removed. i have worked hurricanes where you have to ride a boat to a pole. when before the storm hit you could drive up to it. where every little critter is looking for blood,dry land,safety. and try sleeping under a bucket truck. because they dont have power or a place for you stay. some times up to three or four days without sleep. and then the night you get to rest your fighting off the bugs. or working in canada nine years ago when it was the ice storm of the centry. the first seventeen days was below freezening you had to beat the icy off the pole when you set them to frame them to put the wires back on. my third week it was freezening rain. they are able to deliver a hot pizza or coffee. by the time it gets there it would be frozen pizza and the coffee would be a coffee shake. plus fishing is one job title. and if was so safe why do they put the film crews in such danger. take powerlinemen out of the energy,oil production, and electrical industry. and they are ten times more fisherman to feed the world. than the powerlineman that biuld and deliver it to your house. i will admit there are a lot of people in the eletrical trade,energy, and oil. but the bulk work we do is 90% of the time is energized. i have worked on powerlines of a voltage 500,000 volts. this would give enough power to power half of the california. that is 17,000,000 people. so the next time the city you live in. remember a fisherman in one day catch engough fish to feed socal. from nine volts to a light bolt. god craete light and then powerlineman to deliver it. yours truly bigg kuntry ga rised socal lineman. p.s. film crews wont work around us it is to dangerous.

AUTHOR

Patty Inglish MS

9 years agofrom USA. Member of Asgardia, the first space nation, since October 2016

Thanks for your personal experiences, curtis and bigg. Your jobs are potentially deadly and are to be appreciated. My prayler lines of 1000s of people globally will be praying for you.

Crab catching in season, in Below-0-Degree Weather in northern waters, 16 or more hrs/day 7 days/week in high storms with 100s-pounds cages and cables produces the most injuries/deaths in the shortest amount of time over all other work. Lack of sleep and physical over-stress during these times produces a lot of problems that others do not have at work.

bigg kuntry

9 years ago

what job has to rescue there fellow brother , before emt's or fire will respond. we rescue our fellow brothers,do cpr and first aid before emt's and firemen. our brother work on something you cant see. and you cant here it unless it shorts out or tracks across insulators. the diffrents in our life is a thin piece of rubber, the thickness of paper plate. and everyone needs what we deliver. that is a high voltage lineman. remember any one can catch fish. all the power used in the usa is delivered by so few. so google how many powerlineman they are. it is a fewwer than you think. so thank your local powerlineman. because you haven't never miss electrcity. most dangerous so what, we r so few to serve so many. bigg kuntry bigg kuntry

curtis

9 years ago

i hate when people say there job is the most dangerous job out there when i serve in the army im pretty sure the armed forces has more injuries, mentally and physical injuries and more casualties than any other job out there but we're still over looked as if we have a job that is safer than catching fish....last time i checkd a fish or crab cant shoot you, my job consists of me literally being shot at

JustBrian

9 years agofrom United States

My cousin was a fisherman off the coasts and wide seas of Alaska for a while, he said it was the scariest job of his life, rest his soul.

parkerk393

9 years agofrom Arlington, Texas

Sweet hub! I love the show Deadliest catch so much! Very interesting.

AUTHOR

Patty Inglish MS

9 years agofrom USA. Member of Asgardia, the first space nation, since October 2016

Speak with an attorney; your situation is serious enough to warrant a lawsuit and a workers compensation claim in some states.

What region of the country is this - NY or New Jersey? Our sanitation workers here make $25-$30/hour and overtime. We rotate schedules and no one works on holidays -- the collection day moves ahead one day, and no weekends. Our trucks have mechanical pickup arms on them. Some commerical sanitation workers make more. Recyclers are claiming much of the waste and making money from it as well.

Hope you find a better job.

Ben

9 years ago

I am a sanitation worker, and it is the hardest job i ever had. I worked many different jobs. From construction, roofing, to working in a grocery store. Just recently, within 1 month i lost 5 co workers, they were killed on the job. The job is also very stressful, i had 3 friends work there and they got so stressed out, they left work and committed suicide. Sanitation workers have to work no matter what the weather is. a few times i worked 22 1/2 hours. Running and lifting all day and night with no break. Getting attacked by all types of animals, and people, including rats, dogs,skunks, bears,snakes,raccoons, and many other animals. You get stabbed by needles, cut, hit, side swiped, smashed my other vehicles and in some cases get shot at. Nobody has any respect for trash collectors and there trucks. Its the only job that i know of that requires you to RUN all day long, and in some places they get paid crappy pay and just minimum wage. but city workers get paid on average 15-20 dollars an hour. and have it alot easier than everyone else in the business.

AUTHOR

Patty Inglish MS

9 years agofrom USA. Member of Asgardia, the first space nation, since October 2016

Thank you for serving in the Armed Services; we respect and appreciate that service and sacrifice. Same for the other protective services. Unfortunately, there are more dangerous jobs than the services.

Several of my former patients that worked in meat packing were more mutilated physically and mentally than soldiers that joined the Army, Navy, Air Force and Marines severely injured/+amputees in Iraq and elsewhere.

Ever had a semi-truck tire explode and remove all the skin on your torso/arms, remove an eye and break a shoulder and arm as an industrial mechanic? That could happen in the services, but did to my patient in a commercial job.

Ever been a sawyer and get caught in the lumber mill saw and get sliced through the body from the left shoulder down to the right hip and survive?

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